Nottinghamshire

"Consistency is going to be key" for Nottingham Forest securing European football next season, says BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray.

Speaking on the latest episode of Shut Up And Show More Football about the tightening race for the European football spots, Fray said: "Inconsistency is why things are bunching up. It is why Forest are among those teams as well.

"They are very inconsistent at the moment and that is why you now have this situation where there are six points between third and 10th. That is going to be a monumental scrap for European places.

"Forest have put themselves into a very good place and if they can find some consistency over the remaining 11 games they have got then they may well get European football. But, if they have consistency in the other direction, then they may well miss out on European football because things are so tight.

"There are 10 teams there. Now, how many places there are going to be for European football remains to be seen, there might be seven or eight next season, and even if that is the case then there are going to be a couple of teams who miss out.

"From Nuno [Espirito Santo] and Nottingham Forest's perspective, consistency starts with keeping clean sheets and that is why Nuno was so happy with getting back to basics and keeping a clean sheet against an injury depleted, but still dangerous, Arsenal.

"If they can get some consistency then Europe is still there for them."

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Nottingham Forest midfielder Ryan Yates says the "biggest positive" from their draw with Arsenal was the clean sheet.

Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray after the game Yates said: "It's a good point - I wouldn't say it's a brilliant point.

"We want to win, especially at home but we'll take the point and the clean sheet more than anything - I think that's the biggest positive.

"Defensively from [Chris] Wood up top to [Matz] Sels in goal, I think we were a bit more compact, we knew they would have a lot of the ball and it was about being disciplined and tight and compact. It was a bit different to how we've been recently but that's how we got the clean sheet."

"It was going to be tough to break them down with a lot of sustained pressure. My job was to crash the box when I could, make it difficult and try and make something happen. The ball dropped to us a couple of times but we just couldn't get it in - but that's part and parcel, they probably had the better chances but we'll take the clean sheet.

"The main thing was to get back and be really resolute and not give away too many goal scoring opportunities - we limited them to a couple and that's top work from the manager and everyone buying into the process."

The 27-year-old was brought off the bench in the second half, and speaking about the importance of substitutes making an impact, he said: "I've been on the bench a few times, I know what it's like - especially in the Premier League.

"You've got to be straight on it and get yourself mentally prepared more than anything when watching the game and try and work out where you can make an impact on the game as much as possible."

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As we approach the crunch stage of the 2024-25 Premier League season, it only feels right to address what would be a good outcome for Nottingham Forest from here onwards and what my biggest fear for Nuno Espirito Santo's side is too.

Nottingham Forest have now been dragged into the race for the top five, whereas for a long time it felt like they were on an equal playing field to Arsenal and in the title race.

The good thing is that they are still very much in control of their destiny, but they have also shown signs in recent weeks that their defensive solidity isn't as strong as what it has been.

The draw against Arsenal is a big deal, but this is all new territory for them and therefore the best outcome would be that they continue to play their football. Chris Wood adding to his already decent numbers for this season and continuing to raise the energy in the City Ground will all help in qualifying for European football.

And Champions League qualification would be fully deserved.

But going further, they can still finish second, and of course that would be the best scenario of a finish for them.

Equally, my biggest fear is that they qualify for a Europe but drop several positions at the same time.

Forest will inevitably celebrate a place in any European competition, but if it is not the Champions League because they have dropped down the table then it is almost bitter-sweet.

Thankfully, there are not many teams that are playing better than Forest at the minute so there is no reason to believe that they won't be in the top four.

And if they do earn a spot in Europe's biggest competition next season then they deserve the right to absolutely celebrate their achievements this season, especially given their recent history.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Saveena Johal
Fan writer

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BBC Sport asked Forest fan Saveena Johal a few questions about successes, hopes and fears...

What would be success from here?

There is a sense that something good can happen, thanks to an almost surreal season so far.

Given our current position, our campaign can and should be topped off with a Champions League place. Having finished previous seasons just above the relegation zone, we seem to have comfortably embedded ourselves in the Premier League now and, hopefully, thereafter.

Every club strives to earn a spot in the Champions League, not least progress in it, and for us this feels like a success within reach. Since the formation of the Premier League, every team that has stood at third place at this point in the season has finished within the top five. So it's definitely something we should be looking ahead to.

Can you explain your one hope and one fear for the rest of the season?

I'm hopeful that we will qualify for Champions League football. With just 11 league fixtures remaining, and many of the tough ones well dealt with, our chances of securing European football are high.

With the hopeful addition of a fifth place spot for an English team, this could also work in our favour should we need it. The idea of reviving the glory days is exciting.

The only fear would be Forest not qualifying for European football in any capacity. This would clearly be a great shame, given how well the season is progressing, but equally it feels like a fortunate predicament to find ourselves in. Our chances of European football at the forefront, as opposed to a relegation battle.

While fans of other clubs seem confident we'll prosper, perhaps it's the typical mentality of a Forest fan to not be overly optimistic as the occasional dread sets in. Points-wise, it's still tight at the top so these next few weeks will be telling.

However, a decent run in and the fight we've shown in the last couple of games will hopefully be enough to squash any doubts.

Find more from Saveena Johal at Punjabi Forest, external

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Nottingham Forest love having the "underdog mentality", says former striker Robert Earnshaw.

Having lost their past two Premier League games, Forest halted the recent slide with a well earned point against second-placed Arsenal on Wednesday night.

The result kept them third in the table, one point above Manchester City, and still on course for European football next season.

"It was an excellent draw, because you've got to have the bigger context, the bigger picture. Nottingham Forest are fighting for Champions League now and fighting for the title," Earnshaw told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"They will give chances to the other team, but they love this underdog mentality.

"They kind of play on the fast break a little bit and transition where they'll sit back and then just hit you with their pace and their finishing. Chris Wood had a couple of little moments [against Arsenal] where you thought, 'oh, this is it'.

"I was there for the Liverpool game a few weeks ago, at the City Ground, and you always feel like Forest will have the chance. It's just whether they can take it and, to be honest, nine times out of ten, they take it. Last night, it just wasn't to be.

"They will take that [point] and the Forest fans will take that. They understand the position that they're in, they understand where Arsenal are.

"Any more points as they go towards the end of the season now, it just takes them further and further into that Champions League spot. It just makes it stronger."

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We asked for your views on Nottingham Forest's Premier League match against Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

Luke: I think a few of the lads are off the boil compared to earlier in the season, which is understandable. So it's good to stop the rot and get another point on the board, especially with a clean sheet. Hoping that Nuno can get us back to our best for the run-in, and we can keep our fate in our own hands.

Doug: A good game for Forest - it was very important not to lose. We were solid at the back, but a bit sloppy with our passes in transition going forward. Could have nicked it at the end. Well done you Reds.

Pip: Back to the solid defensive displays we've been seeing this season, after a few games where that seemed to have slipped. Ryan Yates and Danilo made a difference in midfield when they came on. We need to keep focused on the style of play that has got us this far if we want to be in Europe next season.

Arsenal fans

James: Great performance from Arsenal with loads of energy. Dominated possession, shots, corners etc. If just one forward was available, then they'd have won this game.

David: Pathetic. A must-win game and Arsenal players barely get out of a walk. Turgid. No tempo. No chances created. Does Mikel Arteta think this is good enough? Top four at best now. Something is clearly wrong with recruitment at the club when everyone who follows football knows what is missing.

Matt: A point away at Forest, where Arsenal have lost before, to remain above Forest, would usually be seen as good.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Boss Nuno Espirito Santo believes Nottingham Forest rediscovered their best qualities in their battling draw with Arsenal.

Forest remain third and six points behind the Gunners after Wednesday's 0-0 draw at the City Ground.

It came after they conceded eight goals in their last three games, including Sunday's 4-3 defeat at Newcastle.

Arsenal dominated possession and forced Forest to defended for long spells in the City Ground's first 0-0 draw in the Premier League since 1998.

"The most important thing was to realise how we do things, how we play and our strengths. Today it was there," said Nuno.

"We were compact and didn't allow Arsenal too much. Arsenal had chances, of course, because they are a very good team. But at the same time, we were compact, solid and aggressive.

"Maybe we could have found better transition points but it is always difficult. The positive is the clean sheet and, more than anything, finding ourselves as a team again with the way we do things.

"In the last moments of the game, we were the team getting the set-pieces and the dangerous momentum. That is a positive, also."

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Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to BBC Sport: "I'm very happy with the way we did things, the way we played against Arsenal.

"It's very difficult to play against them. They're a very good team. It requires a lot of effort. We were solid and compact. Very positive game.

"After this period we had conceding it was important to go back to basics - solid, clean sheet. We had a couple of moments to do it better. But in terms of the game, positive because it was very important to go back to the team we are that allows us to be successful.

"They have danger all over the place. Set-pieces are some of them. It requires focus. The boys did well. We prepared it.

"This is one of the main messages, more than anything, the feeling of being a team that don't concede too many chances, always in the right places, organised, balanced. Going forward we have talent.

"Our fans have been amazing for us. Today again. No legs but they give us the extra run to the players. Can't thank them enough. We have to enjoy the journey and realise it's not always possible to go with a victory. They saw a good team a team who competed very well."